Caption: Diverticular disease in the colon. Laparoscopic view of diverticular disease (diverticulosis) affecting the sigmoid colon of a 50-year-old female patient. Diverticulosis causes sacs (diverticula) to form and protrude externally from the colon wall. These can become inflamed, infected, and may rupture (diverticulitis). Treatment requires antibiotic drugs. More severe cases may require surgery to remove part of the colon.